Fellowship Riders News

In the final minutes of 2018 and the first minutes of 2019, my wife, Lou Ann, and I had the TV on in our bedroom for no particular reason; it just was on as we were preparing to go to bed after enjoying our time together sitting on our patio and roasting marshmallows. I had earlier in the evening thought we would start the New Year with a time in the Scripture but time had passed quickly. Only glancing at the TV, I realized what I was seeing and hearing – a message perfectly timed as only the Lord can do – an archived message not originally broadcast for welcoming in a new year, yet a message orchestrated for this exact moment by the One who stands above time.

The message was from 2 Kings when Elijah was coming to the end of his ministry and he had already called Elisha as his successor. On their final journey together, “After they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken away from you?” “Please, let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. (2 Kings 9) Continue reading →

Fellowship Riders of the Hill Country

Once again, Fellowship Riders of the Hill Country and our supporting churches, Kendall County Cowboy Church and Wild Ride Ministries get set to participate in Prison Fellowship Angel Tree for children having one or both parents in prison.

Over the last couple of years we have assembled a really talented group of people that thoroughly enjoy the Angel Tree season, as well as being supported by two very generous churches. Feeling pretty confident I asked for twice as many children than ever before knowing we could handle them. When I received our list this year and realized that we were not getting our requested amount, but less than the last couple of years I become somewhat disappointed. Then after soaking it all in I realized I was only being selfish. I prayed that the reason for less this year can be summed up in one of two ways.

First….Could it be that there are a lot more parents at home with their children than before? Could it be that more parents are making better decisions by staying home and keeping the family intact? Continue reading →

When Hurricane Florence impacted the Carolinas with high winds and heavy rains with an estimated 55 fatalities from the storm – among the hardest hit – the city of Wilmington, NC was completely cut-off from the mainland by a strong storm surge and inland flooding caused by the high record-breaking rainfall, exceeding 30 inches in some areas. Lacking utilities and other services for a number of days, conditions for many residents of Wilmington was difficult.

Responding to the needs of these struggling for even basic necessities, Davis Street UMC in Burlington, NC made an appeal in their community for funds and donations of needed items to be taken to a food pantry in Wilmington, Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, that serves the homeless and others in the downtown area. From that effort, fifty 5 gallon buckets filled with recommended basic supplies along with individual hygiene packs were prepared for those in Wilmington.

As the date approached for the delivery of these supplies, Fellowship Riders – Alamance County at Trailhead Church in Burlington, became aware of the opportunity to deploy its newly acquired trailer and partner with Pastor Edgar DeJesus of Davis Street UMC in taking these supplies to Wilmington.

It is a joy to be the hands and feet of Jesus serving those in need, both physically and spiritually, “with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace” as it was on the morning we met to deliver the supplies. While waiting on one of our group to arrive, a man came up asking for money, saying he was a painter and did not have enough work to keep him busy. As we talked, he confessed he had suffered from alcohol abuse but was now sober (there was no odor of alcohol) and he said he had accepted Jesus as Lord. The Holy Spirit stirred concerning his deliverance from the demonic attack of Satan on his life through the use of alcohol as we laid hands on him and prayed for his complete release from bondage and for a renewed walk with Jesus.

All in all, it was a special event, a time of blessing and being blessed. May the Lord be praised and exalted.

“Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27

Last week Pastor Jared of Rigena Christian Church in Nyamarambe shared that while he and others from his church were visiting people in their community, they met Mary Nyomenda, a widow whose husband had died two years ago and her daughter is also sick. The church quickly arranged a fund drive to help repair or replace her home. He reported they had raised 7,000Ksh (Kenyan Schillings), approximately $68.00 U.S. Dollars, and members of the church donated posts, trusses, and rafters to build a new house.

“We want to build her a small house of 20 iron sheets. Hope if we get those funds the house will be completed plus paying the funds soon. We have now a lot of rain and in fact, I am fearing how she does.” Pastor Jared said they are needing 10,500Ksh or $108.00USD to complete building the house. Continue reading →

In the whirlwind of the activities leading up to the rally and afterward, it seems the event can now be viewed with a clearer perspective. From the inception of this event to call Christian motorcycle ministries and riders to gather in Sturgis more than 3 years earlier, Fellowship Riders were honored to contribute in a number of ways in supporting and shaping this event as the Lord gave direction.

Asked to serve as Program Director for 2018, I had no prior experience or predetermined direction; which was in retrospect exactly what was needed. 2 days before the first planning meeting, the Lord brought the word “reset”. Over the next 6 weeks, the Lord began putting form and direction to His desire to “reset” the content and purpose of the rally for 2018 which became immediately clear when He brought the next and final word of “revival” as the goal of the next Light Up The Hills Rally.

The Lord spoke that we were to come seeking “personal righteousness before a Holy God”, to be reminded “for it is written: “Be holy because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)

Over the next few months, the Lord opened and closed many doors in the process of bringing speakers with His message for us as individuals, as citizens of this nation, and as the Body of Christ. His selections were Jordan Morris of Together in the Harvest, David Barton of WallBuilders, Bob Smiley, and Pastor Michael Masambu, our dear friend from Alleluia Sanctuary of Praise in Kimilili, Kenya.

Looking back at the rally, there was evidence at every turn that the Lord’s presence was in that place, that lives were “reset” on a new path, that the Lord was worshipped and honored, that the truth of Scripture was spoken and heard, and that many left with something of eternal worth.

Psalm 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.

In learning of the need for tents and chairs; with the dual purpose of sheltering people for our ministry’s activities and to generate rental revenue to assist them in becoming self-sufficient; a donor has provided funds for the purchase of our first tent and chairs – plus $200.00 to provide additional Bibles. What a blessing and cause for celebration among us and among our pastors!
With this first tent and chair donation, I challenge everyone reading this to consider adding your support as we continue efforts to provide tents and chairs for the other 3 ministries. As with the Public Address systems, we will provide these new resources to our pastors in the order in which they were accepted as affiliate ministries of Fellowship Riders; Rigena Christian Church in Nyamarambe being the first recipient. It is our prayer that we will be able to quickly follow with tents and chairs for Powered by Christ Ministries in Nakuru, Gesonso Christian Church in Nyamira, and lastly Alleluia Sanctuary of Praise in Kimilili.

Romans 13:1 “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God.”

As our work among the Boda Boda progresses, it is important we comply with the authorities and regulations governing our ministries if we are to be true Ambassadors for Christ. To this end, we have successfully registered 3 of our ministries as CBOs (Community Based Organizations) in the counties of their home churches; Nakuru and Kisii. This step was taken to provide recognition among the local authorities and as another step toward establishing Fellowship Riders as a recognized non-profit in the nation of Kenya. That “next step” of registering in Nairobi as a faith-based non-profit organization is a priority as we strengthen the foundation of this Kingdom work.

Not waiting on the regulatory activities to be completed, our pastors are continuing to share the Gospel with the Boda Boda and their communities. As we had envisioned, our providing Public Address systems to our pastors has strengthened their churches and their outreach efforts.
Pastor Samuel Mbuchi of Powered by Christ Ministry in Nakuru has been taking his PA system to several Boda Boda stations and preaching the Gospel to both the Boda Boda and to all the clients who go in and out from these key transportation locations.

These efforts to take salvation to Kenya through the Boda Boda would not be possible without those of you who have contributed to the work of these pastors and their congregations. There are many things yet to be done as we follow the Lord and your donations are “seed for the harvest.” We thank you for investing in the Kingdom of God on the Earth and ask you prayerfully consider continuing to enlarge the Body of Christ in Kenya.

Psalm 90:16-17 Let your work be shown to your servants and your glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!

In the time since the 1st Annual Kenyan Leadership Conference in Nakuru, the Lord has shown Himself faithful and powerful among each of our ministries in Nyamarambe, Nakuru, Nyamira, and Bungoma County (Kimilili). Through the investment of several people into this amazing work of the Lord, we have been able to purchase 2 Public Address systems; one for Rigena Christian Church in Nyamarambe and one for Powered by Christ Ministries in Nakuru.

These PA systems have increased the impact of our ministries into the community by facilitating larger events and strengthening our affiliated churches. Church attendance and membership have grown as well as the number of people reached at every gathering with many testimonies of salvation and deliverance among the people. It has been reported that the atmosphere in these communities is changing, that there is a lingering presence of the Lord. To Him be the Glory. Continue reading →

Isaiah 34:1 Draw near, O nations, to hear, and give attention, O peoples! Let the earth hear, and all that fills it; the world, and all that comes from it.

Since May 12 of 2017 when I received the first email from Pastor Jared Osongo requesting his church become an affiliate ministry of Fellowship Riders, the Lord has moved quickly to call other 3 other pastors to focus on sharing the Gospel with the rider community in Kenya, the Boda Boda. In the past 11 months, we have seen and heard testimonies of salvation, healings, and deliverance among this group of people often overlooked or viewed with suspicion and fear as they are a rough group, often engaged in criminal activity. But God…

God has a different plan for the Boda Boda. He sees these, who need His salvation and freedom from the bondage of sin, as an army He can equip with His righteousness to go throughout their land taking the Good News of Jesus.

By providing PA systems to the 4 pastors working among the Boda Boda, it will be possible to expand the reach of these ministries into the community. Our 2nd PA system was purchased last week for Pastor Samuel Mbuchi in Nakuru and he is planning his first crusade soon.

While Pastor Samuel was purchasing his PA system, Pastor Joseph; himself a Boda Boda and Elder at Alleluiah Sanctuary of Praise in Kamukuywa Township; was leading a crusade in Namawanga Township using the PA system from the church. As a large number of Boda Boda and others gathered, the local police chief, fearing a disturbance “alighted from his car” to find the Boda Boda preaching the Gospel. This was such a spectacle that individuals and public transportation vehicles would stop to take pictures and to be a part of what the Lord was doing. There are reports that as many as 89 people received salvation in Jesus.

Much has been accomplished by the hand of the Lord and His Holy Spirit among the Boda Boda. As this work continues, we prayerfully ask you consider supporting these pastors with prayer and donations as we still need PA systems, tents, and chairs to expand the work of the Kingdom of God.

By the Lord’s provision through those He has called to partner in the work He is doing through our ministries to the Boda Boda in Kenya, we were able to send funds to Pastor Jared Osongo in Kisii town on Saturday, March 10, 2018 for the purchase of our first PA system. This is a significant next step in equipping these pastors in our 4 ministries across Kenya to take the Gospel to all nations.

I do not know firsthand the excitement they may have felt, but I do know how excited I am to see and to know that we are investing in a harvest of souls, with a far greater return than we could ever achieve on Wall Street.

Pastor Jared said he received the money early Saturday morning and immediately went to the local store to get what was needed for their church services, Boda Boda rallies, and community crusades. Since much of Kenya still does not have electricity in their homes, a generator is needed to power the system.

In Pastor Jared’s own words “Today we used the PA system in our church service. Indeed church service today was so touching and moved. May the Lord bless you all abundantly. This PA system will assist us much during our motorcycles Riders rally, crusades, church services and other meetings of expanding God’s word. I say thanks and may the Lord open all the heavenly blessings for all our Riders here in Kenya to get the PA system.”

Our goal is to soon provide PA systems to the remaining ministries in Nakuru, Nyamira, and Bungoma. On hearing of our first PA system purchase, a dear friend of this ministry with a heart for the Kingdom of God, called saying she was sending $1,000.00 to help with the 2nd system.

Click image To Donate.

These ministries were clearly called into existence by the Lord as they are not the result of planning or any thought we, the leadership of Fellowship Riders, had ever imagined. They are an open door for the Gospel to a group of people who are not respected or valued in their society, the Boda Boda.

Come join with what the Lord has begun by donating for the next PA system, and the next, and the next…